Old Man in the Corner

"The Old Man in the Corner" is a collection of detective short stories written by Baroness Emma Orczy, first published in 1901. The stories feature an unnamed "old man" who sits in the corner of a London teashop, solving crimes using only his powers of deduction and observation.

The format of the stories typically involves the old man discussing various unsolved crimes with a young journalist named Polly Burton. As he narrates the details of each case, the old man meticulously pieces together the clues, unraveling the mysteries behind each crime.

"The Old Man in the Corner" is considered one of the earliest examples of the "armchair detective" genre, where the focus is on the intellectual puzzle-solving aspect of crime fiction rather than action or adventure. The stories are known for their clever plots, intricate mysteries, and the enigmatic character of the old man, who remains a compelling figure throughout the series.